Ironmaking
General Areas Served
Crude steel production begins with the reduction process, whereby iron ore reacts with carbon sources inside the blast furnace. It is imperative that refractory products used inside the blast furnace are resistant to these thermomechanical and thermochemical reactions.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories designs, engineers and supplies a comprehensive range of high quality refractory products and solutions, specifically developed for blast furnaces.
An extensive range of refractories ideal for use downstream of the blast furnace is also available, including:
- High quality tap hole mixes, customized to meet customer requirements
- Concretes with excellent performance characteristics, ideal for troughs and runners
- Alumina silicon carbide carbon bricks for torpedo ladles
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories is also focused on developing materials for the evolving needs of DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) processes. Refractory requirements increase in line with H2 usage.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ extensive experience in related industries (for example, pure H2 atmosphere) makes it uniquely suited to providing optimal solutions to meet this challenge.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories is currently working to become carbon neutral by 2050 – a goal shared across much of the ironmaking industry.
Solution By Application
Click on your application to find more:
Troughs & Runners
High Performance and Operational Safety
Trough operations typically see refractory linings exposed to constant thermal cycling and oxidizing environments, resulting in standard Al2O3-SiC-SiO2-C castables becoming damaged.
This leads to a notable reduction in the trough campaign life and the need for emergency repairs, increased refractory unit consumption and unplanned stoppages.
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ unique and innovative castable technology ensures a reliable and risk-free campaign while reducing the number of hours spent on trough repairs.
Features and Benefits
| Product | Characteristics | Applications and Benefits |
| Ultra-low Cement Castable | High oxidation, erosion, and corrosion resistance | High performance materials customized for all regions of the casting floor. Reduced maintenance cycles |
| Dry Mix Lining | Water-free application | Extremely fast repairing materials, specifically designed for secondary runners. |
| Shotcrete | High performance, low rebound, fast repair | Easy to pump and high corrosion resistance castables for cold and hot repairs. Suitable for all regions of the main trough and secondary runners. |
| Spinel Containing Castable | High resistance to FeO corrosion | Extended campaign life for metal line and iron runners. |
| Colloidal Silica Castables | High performance, rapid drying | Zero-cement material ensuring reduced repair time of main trough and secondary runners. |
| Pre-cast Blocks | Controlled environment | Lower repair time and longer campaign for skimmers and secondary runners |
| High Performance Gunning Mix | High adhesion | Highly versatile, suitable for all types of repairs in any region of the casting floor. |
| Ramming Mix | High workability | High performance and easy to apply mix for quick repairs at any regions of the casting floor. |
| High Oxidation Resistance Castables | Very high oxidation resistance | Extremely high oxidation resistance ensures long service life. |
FAQ
What are the most suitable materials for use in troughs and runners?
State-of-art Al2O3-SiC-C castables can be used. However, several recent technologies offer specialist properties including:
- Enhanced safety
- Improved service life
- Rapid drying
- High corrosion resistance against molten slags and iron
- Ultra-high oxidation resistance
Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories’ team of qualified and experienced specialists is on hand to discuss any material or application requirements.
Why is oxidation resistance important in a trough and runner material?
Castable components as SiC and C are highly susceptible to oxidation. This results in the production of SiO2 and CO/CO2, which can impact material properties, resulting in increased porosity, loss of texture and mechanical resistance.
Oxidation poses a particular risk when this occurs close to backup linings, ultimately leading to increased wear speed and refractory consumption.
